Who audits the auditors? It’s surely a fair question? In this case, when I mention “auditors”, I’m not talking about the sometimes questionable antics of YouTubers with drones flying over industrial estates and police stations looking to capture an argument on camera. No, I’m going higher. In fact, right to the top. Edits: “Pre-determined”…
I wish to make it clear that I am 100% behind competent and proportionate regulation of UAS in the UK. We need to keep people safe and regulation should allow this. However, any regulated community must feel they are being dealt with in good faith. You can also find a video discussion of the issues covered…
Sick to the back teeth of “A lookback at…” review articles? My hope and desire is that by leaving this one for a couple of weeks into 2025, you’ll have generated some sort of immunity to review pieces by now. As a small drone operator, working in the Specific Category in particular, it can often…
Key Requirements For those not familiar with this document (and few need to be), CAP 722B is the UK CAA’s guidance to those who desire to take the plunge and become a Recognised Assessment Entity. As the dwindling number of such organisations will tell you, becoming an RAE is a route to hassle-free riches. But…
Eyeup celebrates a small step forward in the drive for better regulation. Apologies for a bit of trumpet blowing here at Eyeup Towers. But it was great last week to be credited with creating sufficient social media buzz that the CAA was persuaded to take action and carry out an immediate review of a brand…
Oversight report of CAP 722H version 3 Apology This time, the blog starts with a heartfelt apology. I’m really sorry to anybody in the UK CAA who feels my blogs are somehow unfair. It is not my aim to upset anybody. However, as part of the “regulated community”, I do feel I have every right…
On guard! Propeller guards and why experienced operators should consider them. Do me a favour. Pop onto any social media drone group and ask whether prop guards are worth having? The response you get will tend to vary between “why would you even bother?” through “you should learn to fly”, to “definitely not”. More enlightened…
It’s true The CAA has listened and back-pedalled on its proposed 45% price increase PDRA01 renewals. Just a really short message. The CAA has confirmed that it will no longer increase its charge for a PDRA01 OA renewal by 45%. If you saw the last Eyeup blog, you’d have been rightfully concerned that you may…
Close to gaslighting – Part 1 The UK CAA, as a regulator has a clear position of power over the community it seeks to regulate. This power is probably strongest over the lower echelons of the unmanned aircraft sector, dominated by micro-companies. Please note the title of this article. I’m not accusing the UK airspace…
Oversight report of CAP 722H version 2 Edit: 14/11/2023 – Oversight report updated . Additional observation. I’ll start this article with a health warning. Reading it is not for the faint-hearted, particularly if you click on the link to the actual oversight report. The report is necessarily technical in nature and is intended to alert…